Water and Sanitation

Institutional issues for green-grey infrastructure based on integrated “one water” management

Lower Hunter Water Plan: Options investigation - rainwater tanks

Multi-criteria decision support framework for the Lower Hunter Water Plan

Institutional issues for green-grey infrastructure based on integrated “one water” management
Water Environment Research Foundation (USA)

This project captures the opportunities for institutional transition within urban water systems in order to move communities onto a more integrated and sustainable path. This project will specifically engage with the relevant literature, and institutions who operate at these various levels, to understand how institutions have transitioned to adopting the “One Water” approach, if only in part. This will include describing where they started and what changes they made to get to the position they now find themselves in. The research will:
• First, identify the key internal drivers and innovative approaches and tactics that led to the successful transition.
• Second, identify the key external institutional and governance drivers and incentives that created the change.
• Third, elicit the main constraints and challenges they encountered in making the transition, both internally and externally.
• Finally, describe the operational and other benefits that were gained through adopting the “One Water” approach.
An additional challenge that this research will address is in providing a Framework of the institutional structures required to achieve the “One Water” goal. While case studies are good at providing the depth of knowledge of a specific example, these are often not transferable to other situations. The aim of the Framework is to bring together the common themes and patterns as well as identify the approaches that have been most successful.

Lower Hunter Water Plan: Options investigation - rainwater tanks
Hunter Water Corporation

The purpose of this project was to provide an independent review of the current and future contribution of rainwater tanks to water security in the Lower Hunter region. This evaluation explored the effectiveness of rainwater tanks for single residential dwellings in both normal climatic conditions and a dry year scenario. These climatic scenarios were applied to inland and coastal geographies for the relevant six LGAs within the Hunter Water Corporation’s (HWC) jurisdiction.
A thorough review of previous research in the field has informed each of the evidence-based assumptions in this evaluation, as well as highlighted the data gaps and areas for further research. The review of the key social, institutional and cultural factors both influencing and limiting voluntary installation found:
• RWTs are a socially accepted alternative water source
• A sense of self-sufficiency, independence and autonomy are key reasons for voluntary uptake
• Capital costs are a primary barrier and inhibit voluntary RWT installation
• There are currently no rebate programs operating in the Lower Hunter region
• Rebates and water restrictions significantly increase the rate of RWT uptake
The effectiveness of any substitution of mains water with a rainwater tank system is directly linked to how well the rainwater capture and end-use connection system operates. In this study this has been referred to as the functionality of the rainwater tank system. The key data gap emerging from this evaluation is the severe lack of reliable data to derive a factor by which to determine the functional number of tanks. For this study, therefore, a range within which such a factor would most likely fall was proposed, i.e. Functionality Factors (FF) of 50% and 70% were used as low and high ranges, and applied to the number of installed tanks on properties serviced by HWC. This functionality envelope was used to evaluate the current and future potable water substitution.

Mukheibir, P., Moy, C., Boyle, T., Milne, G., 2013. Lower Hunter Water Plan: Options investigation - rainwater tanks (Final Report), [prepared for Hunter Water Corporation] Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, pp130 View/download

Multi-criteria decision support framework for the Lower Hunter Water Plan
Metropolitan Water Directorate

In recent years, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) has become a popular decision making tool in the water industry, partly because water policy is seldom guided by a single objective. An MCDA process can be used to identify a single most preferred option, to rank options, to short-list number of options for subsequent detailed appraisal, or simply to distinguish acceptable from unacceptable possibilities. The MCDA process in this project serves as a guide for the assessment of the drought response options against multiple criteria (both quantitative and qualitative), and for the assembly and analysis of drought response portfolios.
The purpose of this multi-criteria decision support framework is to aid the decision-making on a preferred portfolio of drought response options for the Lower Hunter Water region, by developing and applying multi-criteria that allow the performance of water supply and demand options, and portfolios of options, to be distinguished in significant ways. The portfolio, will be incorporated into the Lower Hunter Water Plan currently being managed by the Metropolitan Water Directorate.

Barwon end use model

Independent Water Advisory Panel

Options to improve the water and energy efficiency of evaporative air conditioners

Planning for Resilient Water Systems – Methods for Decision Making

Review of the Integrated Supply-Demand Planning Model for Hunter Water Corporation’s Demand Forecast

Study of local alternative water supply in South East Queensland

Sustainable Water Management of the Duck River Catchment Project Evaluation

Water Sensitive Cities of the Future

Western Sydney Parklands sustainability action plan

Barwon end use model
Client: Barwon Region Water Authority

This project developed an end-use model for Barwon Water in Geelong and Colac to enable the prediction of long term water demand by end-use (namely water used in showers, toilets, clothes washing, gardening etc) based on projected population growth and future trends for housing. It was then used to develop new options (including new sources of water supply and new ways to save water) to ensure water security. In addition the project developed a new modelling approach to consider likely 'bounce-back' in water demand following the end of a long drought.

Independent Water Advisory Panel
Client: Department of Finance and Services

Professor Cynthia Mitchell is a member of the Independent Water Advisory Panel that advises the Minister responsible for the Metropolitan Water Directorate on water planning matters and strategic issues relating to the Lower Hunter and greater Sydney regions. The panel is providing technical advice throughout the interagency planning process for the development of the Lower Hunter Water Plan and the Metropolitan Water Plan. These plans set out the combinations of water supply, demand management and drought readiness measures that will provide a safe and secure water supply for each region now and for the future.

Options to improve the water and energy efficiency of evaporative air conditioners
Client: Savewater Alliance

Evaporative air conditioners (EACs) are used extensively in drier coastal and inland regions of Australia. However, very little attention has been paid to their impact on water and energy consumption. The opportunity to investigate potential water and energy savings through the efficient use of EACs prompted the savewater!® Alliance and its partners, the Water Directorate, Riverina Water and Dubbo City Council to engage the Institute of Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University of Technology in December 2011. ISF was engaged to prepare a scoping study of water and energy use efficiency of EACs in Australia. Based on the review of existing studies and interviews with key stakeholders, this study identifies key issues affecting the inefficient operation of EACs and major knowledge gaps. The report discusses measures to address these issues and provides recommendations on further research, as well as interim actions to promote the efficient use of EACs.

Murta, J., Milne, G., Turner, A., White, S., Harris, S. and Mukheibir, P., 2012, Options to improve the water and energy efficiency of existing evaporative air conditioners. Report prepared for the savewater!® Alliance, Water Directorate, Riverina Water County Council and Dubbo City Council by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney. View/download

Planning for Resilient Water Systems – Methods for Decision Making
Smart Water Fund
ISF was contracted to develop an options assessment framework for the preparation of water supply demand investment strategies. The brief indicated there is now widespread recognition that a generational shift is required away from conventional deterministic planning towards more flexible and adaptive planning and management.  This shift is being driven by the need to maintain water security in the face of increasing uncertainty in key determinants of water businesses, as well as by increasing determination to broaden the objectives that a water system should meet.
In response, the assessment framework provides a process and methodology that specifically:

• Incorporates the vision of the utilities and the multiple values of water into the decision making process by setting clear objectives to ensure that the investment strategies contribute to a sustainable, liveable, prosperous and healthy city;
• Prioritises portfolios of measures that are least cost to the community in the broadest sense by providing methods to assess measures against social, environmental and economic criteria; 
• Prioritises portfolios of measures through the use of investment strategies that are resilient to future uncertainty by assessing their flexibility and robustness against a range of scenario paths;
• Provides a clear and transparent process that clearly communicates the outcomes and basis of the assessment to key decision makers; and
• Involves stakeholders in the process of setting the objectives, identifying viable measures and in developing viable investment strategies.

In recognition of this innovative approach, ISF were awarded the Service Provider Innovation Award (2012) by the Smart Water Fund.

For more information about this project, please see the Smart Water Fund web site.

Review of the Integrated Supply-Demand Planning Model for Hunter Water Corporation’s Demand Forecast
Hunter Water Corporation
Hunter Water corporation (HWC) have used the integrated supply demand planning (iSDP) model to determine the demand forecast for the next 50 years. This model is based on disaggregating the residential end-uses in their various components in order to better understand the distribution of end-uses and thereby better target potential areas for demand reduction in future options analysis. The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) were contracted to conduct a preliminary independent review of Hunter Water Corporation’s Demand Forecast Report, in order to provide an assurance that the forecasts are fit for purpose or to identify high priority areas for improvement. Specifically ISF have assessed the methodology adopted by HWC in using the iSDP model and reviewed the underlying assumptions for each of the end-uses. Recommendations have been made where changes in the model assumptions would have a significant bearing on the demand forecast. The impact of these changes on the overall demand forecast were assessed using sensitivity analysis.

Mukheibir P & Boyle T, 2012 Review of the Integrated Supply-Demand Planning Model for
Hunter Water Corporation’s Demand Forecast [prepared for Hunter Water Corporation],
Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney, pp 50

Study of local alternative water supply in South East Queensland
Client: Bligh Tanner Consulting Engineers for Queensland Water Commission

This research investigated and documented the issues and barriers to implementation of alternative local water supplies in SEQ to guide policy. It provided recommendations to address the barriers to adoption in consultation with other state agencies and stakeholders and included a desktop investigation of the potential contribution of local alternative supplies to the regional water supply.

Sustainable Water Management of the Duck River Catchment Project Evaluation
Auburn City Council

The aim of the three-year ten-month NSW Environmental Trust funded ‘Sustainable Water Management in the Duck River Catchment’ project was to improve sustainable management of the water cycle within the Auburn, Bankstown and Parramatta Council areas of the catchment by enabling a holistic approach to water resource management. At project close and as part of project works, Auburn City Council, the lead partner in the project, commissioned a comprehensive evaluation of the Duck River project against the original Business Plan project performance indicators and from a sustainability point of view. The Institute was contracted to undertake this Evaluation Project. A thorough desk-based document review of all project correspondence, documents, and reports was supplemented with semi-structured telephone interviews with project stakeholders in order to evaluate project inputs and output against expected outcomes and objectives. Lessons learnt that can be applied to future initiatives, and to ensure an ongoing legacy for project outcomes, were presented with all other findings as part of the final report delivered to the project proponent.

Water Sensitive Cities of the Future
Professor Harald Heissl

The Institute hosted Prof. Heissl as a UTS Distinguished Visiting Scholar in February 2012. Prof. Heissl is an international leader in innovation and sustainability in urban water infrastructure systems. He is the Deputy Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) in Karlsruhe, Germany and a pioneer in research on system innovation for urban water, energy, and waste. During his visit, Prof. Heissl shared his insights and practical experiences in making water sensitive Cities of the Future real at a seminar and panel discussion hosted by the Institute. He was joined by Alan Gregory, CSIRO's Research Theme Leader for Urban Water and Cynthia Mitchell, Professor of Sustainability at ISF to discuss adapting to climate and demographic change, whilst modernizing water infrastructure systems and managing the water-energy nexus, amongst other challenges and opportunities. The purpose of this event was to enliven the current conversation in Sydney’s water sector about Cities of the Future, by providing an opportunity for both industry and other interested academics to engage with Harald Hiessl’s work, and to make connections with leading work locally.

Western Sydney Parklands sustainability action plan
Client: Western Sydney Parklands Trust

Western Sydney Parklands is a large area on the western metropolitan fringe of Sydney that contains diverse land uses including bushland, farming, recreation, waste management and trunk infrastructure. It has areas leased to commercial, industrial, residential and recreational interests as well as areas under its direct control. The Trust has published a Plan of Management to deliver its vision over the 10 years to 2020. Both the Vision and Principles in the Plan are explicit in the expectation that the Parklands be sustainable. In 2012, ISF worked with the Trust to document the first in a series of phases leading to implementation of sustainability. The project involved developing a Sustainability Framework and Action Plan for the Trust’s operations that will guide it towards achieving its vision for sustainability 2020. Over 100 actions were developed across a sustainability framework, utilising the One Planet Living program as a guide, tailored to the Trust’s unique governance structure as a landlord and steward (for parkland operations) as well as a lessee (for office operations). The plan is intended to be an operational manual, whose audience is the Trust staff, which can be practically used and updated to document and drive sustainability action.

Alexandria water efficiency demonstration project

Assessment of city scale alternative water options

Decentralised Water Master Plan City of Sydney

Development of an Alternative Water Atlas

Frasers to UTS water and energy linkages

Savings from new water efficient shower head

Sustainability rating tool

Understanding apparent water losses through non-registration of domestic meters

Alexandria water efficiency demonstration project
Funded by EU SWITCH
Institute research revealed the need for new institutional frameworks to maintain water supply-demand balance in Alexandria, Egypt. Water availability in Egypt is highly constrained, because of its dependence on a fixed national share of the Nile River basin and population growth. This study has been assessing urban water demand in Alexandria and options to maintain the supply-demand balance. The need for new institutional frameworks included national regulation of appliance efficiency and local regulation of new buildings and developments. Institute researchers used an integrated resource-planning framework. Further, they developed a model to determine the preferred options for managing demand through the use of water efficient devices, based on an analysis of the results of a household survey and an assessment of non-residential uses. They also prepared an action plan or business case prioritising options for reducing water use and improving wastewater management through efficiency. The project also delivered a simple planning tool that might be applicable to other parts of Egypt as well. The EU under the SWITCH program funded the study. SWITCH is an action research program aiming to bring about a paradigm shift in urban water management to help cities efficiently manage scarcer and less reliable water resources. The project is a continuation of the Institute’s involvement in SWITHC research that started in 2007.

Assessment of city scale alternative water options
Client: Smart Water Fund

The Institute in conjunction with engineering firm GHD undertook an assessment of city-scale alternative water options for Melbourne for the Smart Water Fund. The aim of the project was to develop and analyse options for the development of non-potable water recycling schemes to service demands larger than 10 GL/annum. The Institute was involved with stakeholder consultation and the assessment of potential options. The Institute also developed the framework for assessing the options. This project is linked to the Alternative Water Atlas project, also undertaken by the Institute and GHD, which had a focus on smaller non-potable systems.

Decentralised Water Master Plan City of Sydney
Client: GHD (Sydney) Pty Ltd
The Institute partnered with engineering firm GHD and P3iC to develop a Decentralised Water Master Plan (DWMP) for the City of Sydney LGA in response to the City’s vision for a network of alternative water supplies to service the City by 2030. The broader DWMP involved a series of sub-plans incorporating water efficiency, water sensitive urban design and stormwater infrastructure improvement in addition to the decentralised non-potable, non-mains water supply network. The Institute was responsible for developing the Water Efficiency Plan for the City as a first step. The purpose of the plan is to maximize water efficiency as it makes sustainability sense. The water efficiency plan provides the City with some targeted options to improve the efficiency of water use in the City and the Council’s own properties and operations. It also provides a basis for future forecasts and scenarios for the rest of the DWMP. The Institute is also involved with GIS mapping, water end use analysis, non-potable demand forecasting, the development and assessment of non-potable supply options, analysis of risks and technologies, and undertaking business case analyses for non-potable water schemes and potential networks.

Development of an Alternative Water Atlas
Client: Smart Water Fund
The Institute in conjunction with engineering firm GHD was commissioned by the Smart Water Fund to prepare a comprehensive atlas of spatial information to aid in identifying and assessing potential non-potable water supply schemes for Melbourne. This project is linked to the Smart Water Fund Assessment of City Scale Alternative Water Options, which was also undertaken by the Institute and GHD.

Frasers to UTS water and energy linkages
Client: University of Technology Sydney and Frasers (UTS)
Institute research found that water-energy synergies between Frasers and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) would be beneficial. UTS is undergoing campus redevelopment and the Frasers Central Park development will see residential and commercial buildings being built. UTS commissioned the Institute to consider the possible energy-water synergies between the two sites working together to create a sustainable precinct. The Institute considered the business case for linking electrical, cooling, hot water, and water services. It studied each service independently to evaluate the viability and value of linking them. The Institute found that there is likely to be sufficient surplus of recycled water, electricity, and chilled water to provide an economic basis for providing these three linkages between the Frasers and UTS sites. No justification was found for hot water linkages.  It was also found that linkages could contribute to UTS’ emission reduction targets for 2020.  The Institute was also able to suggest next steps to be taken by UTS and Frasers on the basis of the findings.

Savings from a new water efficient shower head
Client: GWA Caroma
The Institute calculated the potential energy, greenhouse gas and cost savings associated with the GWA’s new 6.5 litre water efficient shower head. The GWA commissioned the Institute to conduct the calculations. The shower heads were evaluated (1) relative to reference showers with flow rates 7.5L/min, 9.0L/min, and 20L/min; (2) when used with domestic water heaters that are the highest and lowest greenhouse gas contributors; and (3) when they are used with domestic water heaters that are the most and least costly to operate in energy cost terms.  The Institute estimated savings with respect to three types of domestic water heaters: (1) electric storage water heater (the highest greenhouse gas contributor), (2) gas-boosted solar water heater (the lowest greenhouse gas contributor and least costly to operate), and (3) five star gas storage water heater. The Institute did calculations for the capitals in each Australian state (except Darwin as data was not available) because performance of water heating systems are highly location specific.

Sustainability rating tool

Client: Australian Green Infrastructure Council (AGIC)

Institute researchers contributed to an Australian first that will see a shift in how infrastructure is designed, delivered, built and operated in Australia by developing criteria for infrastructure projects seeking a sustainability rating under AGIC's IS rating scheme. The IS rating scheme provides indicators, a scorecard, technical manual and tools such as calculators to consider governance, social, economic, and environmental factors across the design, construction, operation and decommissioning stages of infrastructure assets. AGIC invited the Institute to author several of the tool's categories: energy and carbon, biodiversity, water use and knowledge management. The rating tool is designed to help designers and design teams, construction operations and maintenance and deconstruction teams consider best practice sustainability across the life of the infrastructure assets. The areas covered by the tool include project management and governance; economics; resources; emissions, pollution and waste; biodiversity; people and place and workforce. The researchers used a consultative approach to establish industry practice and set a 'baseline' from which projects can be benchmarked across key sustainability criteria. The tool aims to drive better industry practice and reward good sustainability practice. Productivity gains are expected to flow from a nationally consistent assessment framework for measuring sustainability in the delivery of infrastructure. Projects can earn points for a range of sustainability practices towards an overall score which indicates the project's sustainability rating as good, excellent or leading. This is independently verified and certified by AGIC. The tool is available from AGIC's website.

Understanding apparent water losses through non-registration of domestic meters
Funded by: Smart Water Fund
Research to date has shown that a fleet of meters becomes less accurate with age and usage. This is commonly understood to be related to the under-registration, which is the inaccuracy in the actual meter once activated by a flow. What is less understood is the relevance of the non-registration by the meter of the low flows that pass through the meter undetected. The combination of the two can be regarded as the unregistered volume.

The findings from the study commissioned by Smart Water Fund indicate that non-registration is more significant than under-registration, and that both get progressively worse with usage, which has specific relevance for the assumptions used in accounting for non-revenue water and for specifying the replacement schedule for a fleet of meters.

In summary the outcomes of the study indicate that:

1. non-registration is more significant than under-registration in understanding non-revenue water, since it could account for a larger percentage of the non-revenue water passing through a meter. The additional volume associated with the percentage of non-registration can help further explain the apparent losses (customer metering inaccuracies) when calculating the water balance and the overall water loss.
2. consideration of both the non-registration and under-registration components of the unregistered volume should be made when preparing a meter replacement policy. The percentage of non-registered volume increased more significantly with higher total registered volumes as compared with under-registration. The consideration of non-registration therefore has the effect of bringing forward the timing for meter replacements.
3. the unregistered volume increases with the usage of the meter. Therefore using an average for a fleet of meters is not reliable enough, and improved estimates can be achieved by assessing the losses per registration group. This is especially relevant when calculating the water loss due to meter error and/or specifying the replacement schedule.

Central Highlands sustainable water strategy

Integrated Resource Planning for Urban Water

Kinglake West sustainable sewerage project: Mutual learning for social change

Siemens Water Futures

UTS non-potable water assessment

Water park precinct

Central Highlands sustainable water strategy
Client: Central Highlands Regional Water Authority
The Institute was asked to review the demand management (DM) strategy that it had developed for Central Highlands Water (CHW) in 2006. Many elements of the strategy have successfully been implemented and a review was needed to take into account the many changes in the region since 2006. These included supply augmentation, customer behaviour change and the success of the DM program so far. Suggestions for short term and long term DM options were made as part of the review. These options were rated on a semi-quantitative scale comprising, total unit cost ($/ML), water saving potential, degree of community reach, greenhouse and energy savings and health risks. The Review enabled CHW to implement a Garden Smart outdoor water saving program and also provided input to the next water plan that takes into account a changed supply-demand context and the need to adapt to step climate change. This will ensure community and corporate sustainability expectations can be met through supporting water conservation as restrictions are eased.

Integrated Resource Planning for Urban Water
Client: National Water Commission

Two years of research into integrated resource planning for urban water led to the development of resources and tools to assist practitioners in the urban water sector dealing with emerging issues in supply-demand planning. These resources will help urban water providers and government agencies determine more accurately how much water is used in their region, how much water is available (while protecting environmental and social values) and how they can best provide water services in the future. Knowledge transfer and capacity building were an important part of the project and a series of workshops were held Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville and Perth to showcase the research to stakeholders. The research led to an update and expansion of the Guide to Demand Management and Integrated Resource Planning previously developed for the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA). A series of resource papers dealing with issues such as climate change, demand forecasting, monitoring and evaluation and sustainability assessment have also been written. Two case studies demonstrate the application of Integrated Resource Planning. The project was a collaboration between the National Water Commission, the Institute for Sustainable Futures, CSIRO, Brisbane City Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, Riverina Water and the Water Services Association of Australia.

The Integrated Supply- Demand (iSDP) model is an urban water supply-demand planning tool. The tool allows the development of detailed water demand forecasts based on either disaggregated end uses, (e.g. showering, toilet flushing) or sectors (e.g. residential commercial, industrial) and also the modelling and assessment of both demand and supply options. It provides a means for analysing and presenting portfolios of options to support supply-demand decision making.
The iSDP model was originally developed by Sydney Water Corporation and then up-dated by CSIRO and the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) under the auspices of WSAA. As part of the Integrated Resource Planning for Urban Water project, which was funded by the National Water Commission, the iSDP model was significantly updated. The new version has additional features and is now much more user friendly with an intuitive interface. This makes it more useable for mid size and smaller utilities as well as current users in major metropolitan centres. To access the model contact Louise.Boronyak@uts.edu.au or 02 9514 4974

Resources:

Integrated resource planning for urban water. Fact sheet prepared for the National Water Commission's Raising National Water Standards Program, March 2011

Turner, A.J., Willetts, J.R., Fane, S.A., Giurco, D., Chong, J., Kazaglis, A. & White, S. 2010, 'Guide to Demand Management and Integrated Resource Planning (update on original 2008 Guide)', Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), Sydney,

Fane et al, University of Technology Sydney, 2011. Integrated resource planning for urban water—resource papers, Waterlines report, National Water Commission, Canberra

Case study: Integrated resource planning for urban water - Wagga Wagga, Intitute for Sustainable Futures, Waterlines Report Series No. 41, Section 7, March 2011.

Case study: Integrated resource planning for urban water - Cabbage Tree Creek, Brisbane City Council & Marsden Jacobs, Waterline Report Series No. 41, Section 6, March 2011.

Kinglake West sustainable sewerage project: Mutual learning for social change
Yarra Valley Water
The Kinglake sustainable sewerage project is a trial of alternative sewerage services for Kinglake West households (Victoria). Recruited residents have installed urine diverting toilets (UDTs), onsite treatment of greywater for non potable reuse, and STEP/STEG systems for blackwater management. The project aims to identify the experiences, practices and attitudes of householders to using UDTs. The research has involved developing a suite of engagement tools for households to ensure appropriate use and maintenance of UDT systems. A user manual and signage for residents will therefore encourage easy operation and maintenance of UDTs and the associated systems. The methodology for the research included a literature review of user manuals for UDTs; pre- and post-installation interviews with householders adopting UD systems; the use of diaries for householders to track their experiences over a two month period; workshops for residents and other key stakeholders and a wrap-up focus group. The Institute and Yarra Valley Water have developed a collaborative relationship in piloting UDTs with Yarra Valley Water sponsoring a UDT pilot project at UTS. Both the Kinglake and UTS trial contributes to the limited literature on whole of system design of UD systems, while documenting the experience of users in both an institutional and residential setting in Australia.

Siemens Water Futures

In this project the Institute was asked to develop estimates for the mix of water supply sources for Australia until 2050. Institute researchers developed five different scenarios, including a base case. The scenarios were developed based on several basic conditions such as climate change (expected and extreme climate change), and efficiency (trend efficiency, active efficiency, and ultra efficiency).They were further based on a range of water supply technology portfolios where the dominant technology is desalination, potable reuse, or decentralized systems. In each scenario the Institute researchers estimated the volume of water sourced from different sources. The scenarios were developed on a city scale, and then aggregated to all urban centres to create a picture for Australia as a whole. It also includes individual city results. The energy use of each scenario was also calculated. This project is part of Siemens Picture the Future project.

UTS non-potable water assessment
Client: Facilities Management Unit, University of Technology Sydney

This Institute study revealed significant potential for the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to use the excess capacity available from Frasers Broadway’s planned recycled water plant to meet its non-potable demand. The modelling indicated recycled water from Frasers’ could meet more than half of UTS’ estimated water use. The Institute could also make recommendations to UTS and Frasers on next steps. UTS aims to achieve a 5-star Green Star rating for all eligible buildings under its City Campus Master Plan and a 6-star rating for the new Thomas Street building, but this requires implementing some form of non-potable water supply. The Facilities Management Unit (FMU) already engaged Roger Andrews to explore the possibility of a non-potable network fed by rainwater captured on site. Thus, the FMU engaged the Institute to consider the potential of importing recycled water from the Frasers site. In particular, the study aimed to assess if importing recycled water could significantly increase potable water saving at UTS and if it was possible without large additional costs. The study involved a number of steps, including: initial meetings with Frasers and UTS, with FMU and Roger Andrews (consultant to FMU); develop water demand forecast for the UTS City Campus; develop potential recycled water supply forecast from the Frasers site; linkage of the demand and supply forecasts based on climate data; estimate potential non-potable water supply for a range of supply options; and identify issues that could act as constraints.

Water park precinct
Client: Western Sydney Parklands Trust

The Institute’s expertise in the latest and best sustainability practices in water, energy and waste management was called upon to develop Environmental Management Guidelines for a water theme park proposed for western Sydney. The Guidelines recommend actions that could be taken by the water park’s owners and operators to enhance the park’s environmental performance. Many of the actions could, if implemented, provide net financial benefits to the park’s operators in addition to achieving positive environmental outcomes. The challenge in creating a sustainable water theme park lies in using water as efficiently as possible and using alternative water supplies while maintaining the recreational value of the park. In conjunction with water efficiency measures, there are also opportunities to integrate water management at the park with energy and waste systems to maximise efficiency and minimise waste products across water, energy and waste. Incorporating energy management from the early planning stages of the project was recommended to enable integration of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) management practices into all phases of the proposed development, in order to minimise energy use and the overall impact of energy used at the park.

Alternative water restriction models

An independent review of the need for the Tillegra Dam and assessment of likely impacts

Establishing successful responsible management entities

Evaluation of the showerhead exchange program

Expert Review: Strata and community title governance of decentralised wastewater systems

Identification of industrial ecology opportunities in Melbourne

Knowledge networks in the water sanitation and hygiene sector

Review of South East Queensland end use study

Review of water restrictions

Sustainability advice to Frasers Property Australia for development of Broadway site

The water-energy nexus: literature review and field investigation into the energy implications of household rainwater systems

Think Water, Act Water evaluation: Electricity, water and greenhouse gas savings

VicWater Sustainability Seminar

Alternative water restriction models
Client: Smart Water Fund
Institute research identified opportunities for alternative water restriction models in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Customer-side drought response measures have been a key component of sustainable urban water management in metropolitan Melbourne. Although there is widespread community support for low levels of restrictions, more recent evidence indicates emerging concerns about the fairness, flexibility and future water savings potential of the current restrictions framework. The Smart Water Fund commissioned the Institute to conduct research to inform the development of new "Restrictions Alternatives" measures, which have potential to complement or replace some elements of the existing restrictions framework. These measures would achieve water savings during drought, allow some flexibility of customer choices about water use, and address some of the social equity and demand hardening concerns about the current prohibition-styles framework. As part of this project the Institute conducted a literature review that identified opportunities for alternative restrictions models to improve flexibility and fairness of existing frameworks whilst achieving water savings. It also conducted a study of non-residential drought responses, and sports ground watering during drought. Both reports provide suggestions for steps forward. Methods included literature review and interviews.

An independent review of the need for the Tillegra Dam and assessment of likely impacts
Funded by: The Wilderness Society, Newcastle and philanthropic donations

The Institute was commissioned to conduct an independent review of water supply-demand planning in the lower Hunter Valley region and Central Coast of New South Wales. This was in response to concerns about a plan by Hunter Water Corporation to build the Tillegra dam on the Williams River. In this review, Institute researchers reassessed Hunter Water’s demand calculations and critiqued the assumptions used in the supply calculations. Following the release of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for Tillegra Dam in late August 2009, the Institute prepared a second report regarding the treatment of greenhouse gas emissions in the EA. This second report presented a calculation of the potential emissions based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recommended methodology for reservoir surface emissions. The Institute also set out its concerns regarding the EA for the proposed dam in a submission to the New South Wales Department of Planning. Hunter Water subsequently prepared a response to all submissions to the EA with specific reference to the Institute’s submission. The Institute answered the key concerns raised by the Corporation in this document. The Institute’s research found water demand could be met without building the dam and there are easier and less expensive solutions to meeting a growing demand for water. On 28 November 2010, the Premier Kristina Keneally announced that no further plans for a dam in the Hunter would be considered after receiving an assessment of the proposal from the Department of Planning.

Reports associated with this project:

Fane, S.A., Retamal, M.L. & White, S. 2009, An independent review of the need for Tillegra Dam, [prepared for The Wilderness Society Newcastle], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download

Fane, S.A. 2009, An assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from the proposed Tillegra Dam, [prepared for The Wilderness Society], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download

Fane, S.A., Retamal, M.L. & White, S. 2009, Submission to the Department of Planning regarding Tillegra Dam proposal environmental assessment report, Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download

Fane, S.A., White, S. & Retamal, M.L. 2010, Response to Hunter Water 's submission to the Department of Planning regarding its application to build a dam at Tillegra on the Williams River, [prepared for The Wilderness Society Newcastle], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download

 

Establishing successful responsible management entities
Client: Water Environment Research Foundation
This Institute project provided guidance and resources on how to establish successful responsible management entities (RMEs). The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), an American research organization dedicated to wastewater and stormwater issues, funded this project aimed at developing resources and guidance for organisations to establish themselves as managers of decentralized wastewater systems. The project investigated relevant business models applicable to the industry, and engaged with both positive and negative experience in running successful business enterprises in this domain. The research involved workshops and interviews with relevant stakeholders. The Institute first produced a scoping paper aimed at starting to describe how to become a successful RME for decentralised wastewater systems, focusing on identifying necessary steps, and likely challenges and ways to overcome them. View/download the fact sheets produced by the Institute to provide guidance in establishing RMEs.

Evaluation of the showerhead exchange program
Client: South East Water Limited
The Institute estimated water savings from the Showerhead Exchange Program (SEP) run by the three Melbourne water retailers City West Water (CWW), South East Water (SEW), and Yarra Valley Water (YVW).  The SEP is a water conservation initiative that offers households free water efficient showerheads in exchange for their old showerheads. CWW, SEW, and YVW commissioned the institute to undertake the statistical evaluation of water savings arising from the implementation of the SEP. The researchers used the matched pairs means comparison (MPMC) analysis to estimate the savings. The study suggest a household survey be conducted to complement the quantitative data from this research project to better understand the motives and drivers for participating in the SEP. This could provide valuable insights to help design and establish benchmarks and set targets for future water conservation initiatives. The SEP is a State Government of Victoria water conservation initiative launched in 2006 and designed to reduce household demand as part of its Target 155 campaign – a public awareness campaign that encourages Melbourne residents to keep their average usage below 155L per person per day.

Expert Review: Strata and community title governance of decentralised wastewater systems
Griffith University
The National Water Commission is interested in the role of decentralised wastewater systems. These systems hold great promise as an integral part of our urban water systems. In order for such systems to meet public health and environmental outcomes, good governance is key. Griffith University undertook a project for the National Water Commission to consider the regulatory framework, in theory and practice, for such systems from a strata and community title perspective across Australia. This perspective is critical because many new systems are being, or are likely to be, installed under these conditions, and the regulatory frameworks are currently inadequate. Professor Cynthia Mitchell was invited to act as an expert reviewer for the final report from the project. Her review concluded that this complex area requires significantly more work to provide clear, prudent paths that will allow the successful installation and operation of small scale wastewater systems capable of providing improved sustainability outcomes for all stakeholders.

Identification of industrial ecology opportunities in Melbourne
Research was undertaken to identify industrial ecology opportunities in Melbourne seeking to increase resource use efficiency. A literature review was undertaken to inform the development of a structured methodology and tool to map the potential of industry sectors and confirmed through stakeholder workshops. A case study of the most promising industrial ecology opportunity was developed which brought together the costs, opportunities and barriers in the context of possible options that could be implemented. This case study focused primarily on water recycling opportunities between a group of co-located companies in Port Melbourne, also identifying possible energy synergies and emphasising water-energy linkages. The results of this case study were presented at a workshop involving a range of stakeholders including the companies at the site, water utilities, and the Smart Water Fund. A significant outcome of the project is that further work will be undertaken by the utility and the companies involved to explore implementation pathways and future opportunities. This project was undertaken in collaboration with Curtin University, Melbourne University and RMIT.

Knowledge networks in the water sanitation and hygiene sector
Funded by: AusAID

Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships Mr Iftikhar Hussain from Pakistan took up a five month research fellowship with the Institute supported by an AusAID Australian Leadership Award. During his Fellowship, Iftikhar’s research focussed on the critical issue of capacity development in the water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector and more specifically, the role of effective knowledge networks in the sector. He worked with ISF researchers on a program designed to improve WASH capacity development in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The research team undertook an analysis of the effectiveness of different types of knowledge networks in the Asia-Pacific region. They developed criteria for “effectiveness”, and then assessed how existing networks perform against the criteria relevant to them as well as analysing critical enabling and constraining factors. While participating in this research, Iftikhar collaborated closely with the Australian Water and Sanitation Reference group – a community of practice of non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and the Australian Water industry.

Hussain, H., Willetts, J.R. & Carrard, N.R. 2009, ’Knowledge networks in the water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in south east Asia and the Pacific’, Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia.?View/Download

Review of South East Queensland end use study
Client: Griffith University
An independent review of the methodology used in a Residential End Use Study for South East Queensland (SEQ) was conducted by Institute researchers for the the Urban Water Security Research Alliance. The study collected and analysed water usage data from a sample of 400 residents in order to gain an understanding of how and why Australians use water in their homes and provide a foundation for future water policy. Recommendations, based on the Institute’s knowledge of residential end use modelling and monitoring, were made in relation to the smart metering and logging technologies used in the study. Recommendations on study design and sample sizes, and the best ways to maximise benefits and minimise risks were also made. Links to other relevant projects were identified and issues to be clarified were highlighted. As part of the review process, the Institute hosted a workshop in which key stakeholders and specialists were brought together to assess the program and discuss synergies with other research.

Review of water restrictions
Client: National Water Commission

A review of water restrictions conducted by the Institute provides practical conclusions and recommendations for planners. The project was designed to improve governments’, stakeholders’, and the National Water Commission’s understanding of the nature and effectiveness of water restrictions across Australia, and aimed to help National Water Initiative Parties meet their commitments. At the time of the study, water restrictions were widespread in Australia, and in many locations, for longer or at greater severity than before. Restrictions are implemented to assist in maintaining adequate water supply in line with the severity and duration of drought. The review used an assessment framework to examine the cost-effectiveness of restrictions in ensuring adequate water availability at least cost. It considered environmental, social and economic costs and benefits. Further, the study conducted case studies to assess the cost-effectiveness of restrictions, as they are necessarily location specific. In the face of a lack of data and monitoring, the Institute researchers used a number of other quantitative and qualitative information sources, such as for example historical water consumption data and interviews with stakeholders. The study provides practical guidance to designing and evaluating restrictions as a potential instrument, in the portfolio of options, for managing the water-supply balance during drought. The research presented in the report was completed during August 2006 to December 2007. Thus, the research is only current for that period.

Chong, J., Herriman, E.J., White, S. & Campbell, D. 2009, 'Review of water restrictions', Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download

Sustainability advice to Frasers Property Australia for development of Broadway site
Elton Consulting
The Institute and Elton Consulting were commissioned by Frasers Property Australia to provide advice on improving the sustainability of the Frasers Broadway development. The former site of the Carlton and United Brewery is being developed to provide a mix of residential, commercial, retail and public spaces. The developer, Frasers Property, is committed to delivering a landmark green precinct on the western edge of Sydney's CBD. ISF worked in partnership with Elton Consulting and other consultants to identify sustainability opportunities for the site, focusing particularly on reductions in energy use, water use, solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Our work included detailed modelling of site energy and water use and options for reducing energy and water use, participation in stakeholder consultation processes, liaison with regulatory authorities, research on innovative sustainability options for the site and provision of high-level advice on sustainability strategies for the site. For further information on the Frasers Broadway development, see http://www.frasersbroadway.com.au/broadway/ (opens an external site)

The water-energy nexus: literature review and field investigation into the energy implications of household rainwater systems
The first part of this project was to explore the links between water and energy in water infrastructure. ISF's literature review identified two scales of water energy nexus studies: macro level, or city scale interaction between water and energy systems and micro level, with focus on water-energy interactions within a system component. The review also noted different perspectives, such as from the energy generation, water production or systems perspectives. This literature review revealed a paucity of information regarding the energy consumption of emerging water infrastructure, which led to the next phase of primary data gathering.The second part of this project involved field monitoring of a spectrum of household rainwater systems in terms of water produced and energy consumed. This investigation produced a range of results for the energy intensities of different types of rainwater system configurations. The energy intensity of a typical household rainwater system was found to be 1.5 kWh/kL on average. Preliminary indications on the characteristics of systems with either low or high energy intensities were also identified. This study and subsequent research is aimed at providing useful guidance to inform policy regarding the the implementation of emerging water systems.

Retamal, M.L., Abeysuriya, K.R., Turner, A.J., White, S. 2009, Water energy nexus literature review, [prepared for CSIRO], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download paper (PDF 346.54KB)

Retamal, M.L., Glassmire, J., Abeysuriya, K.R., Turner, A.J. & White, S. 2009, The Water-Energy Nexus: investigation into the energy implications of household rainwater systems, [prepared for CSIRO], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download paper (PDF 1.61MB)

Think Water, Act Water evaluation: Electricity, water and greenhouse gas savings
Client: ACT Department of the Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCEW)
The study produced robust statistically-based estimates of water, energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from the Think Water, Act Water efficiency programs. The ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services initiated the Think Water, Act Water program in 2004 to guide water resource management in the ACT. A critical objective of the program was to improve residential water efficiency. In 2008 the Institute completed a study that measured the water savings arising from these programs. This study revisits the evaluation looking at developing and testing an alternative statistical methodology for measuring savings, and then measuring the energy and GHG savings arising from fixtures that impact hot water usage (showerheads and tap aerators). The research found all Think Water, Act Water programs, except the GardenSmart program, produced measurable and statistically significant reduction in average household water consumption. In addition, hot water savings associated with the WaterSmart Homes program generated statistically significant reductions in consumption on both major electricity tariffs (energy and off peak). The research used different statistical techniques to estimate program savings including the matched pairs means comparison method (MPMC) and the covariate regression approach. Two validation analyses were also conducted.

VicWater Sustainability Seminar
Client: VicWater
In May 2009, the Institute’s Professor Cynthia Mitchell gave a presentation at the annual Sustainability Seminar organised by the Victorian Water Industry Association. View/download her presentation on ‘Food, diet, and city sustainability: Linking water and nutrition cycles locally’. The presentation's take home messages were that the water industry is at the start of a period of transformational change; global food security (i.e. water and nutrient availability) is a primary driver, even in urban areas; and water authorities are sitting on a gold mine.

ACT program evaluation: residential water savings

Barangaroo Development sustainability framework

Cost effectiveness analysis of WELS

Development of an integrated water supply-demand planning model for Adelaide

Development of an integrated supply/demand model for the Australian Capital Territory

Demand management training in Alexandria, Egypt

Distributed system options for Rocky Springs

End use model training

Estimating the marginal cost of water supply

EU SWITCH - demand management training in Alexandria, Egypt

Evaluation of energy and water savings from WaterFix retrofits

Evaluation of the One to One Program

The full spectrum: estimating real costs of urban water

Guide to Demand Management

Impact of urban water conservation strategies on end use water consumption in residential households

National rainwater and greywater initiative - input into design of rebates for households and Surf Life Saving Clubs

North Eveleigh water management plan

Qualitative decentralised system concepts

Showerhead exchange

Smart Water Fund: innovative end use measurement

Submission on Traveston Dam EIS

ACT program evaluation: residential water savings
Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS)
A water provider in the ACT, the Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) commissioned ISF to conduct an evaluation into the water savings achieved by various water tune-up programs and rebates. The project aimed to determine the effectiveness of the TAMS water savings programs in meeting its demand management objectives.

Barangaroo Development sustainability framework
Client: Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA)

The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) invited Institute researchers to develop a sustainability framework and conduct energy and water infrastructure modelling for the Barangaroo renewal project being managed by SHFA at the site formerly known as East Darling Harbour. A concept plan for the mix of commercial, residential, tourist, retail and community uses for this 22-hectare land parcel on Sydney Harbour was endorsed by the Minister in February 2007. This plan makes a commitment to pursuing the highest environmental return possible in terms of water, power and waste technology, as well as environmental building and design excellence processes. The Institute developed a framework featuring six overarching principles to guide future development of the site. This framework was used by the ISF researchers as they developed detailed models for energy and water infrastructure for the site that looked at ways of absolutely minimising demand through high level efficiency, such as water- free cooling and vacuum toilets, as well as interesting ways of meeting that demand, for example, site-wide co-generation of heat and electricity, on site energy storage, water recycling and use of roof water for showering. The report on water options included models for precinct wide flows (demands, potable, greywater, stormwater, rainwater) These details were then used to provide a quantity surveyor with the information required to cost different options. A workshop was held to further discuss targets and options, and develop options to a level of detail that would enable creation of a conceptual design for the Barangaroo site. Following the development of a conceptual design by an engineering firm, a joint preliminary costing exercise was conducted by the engineering firm and ISF. The preliminary costing provided a sense of whether the market could cope with the proposed targets and options. More information on the development of the Barangaroo site can be found at http://www.barangaroo.com/

Development of an integrated water supply-demand planning model for Adelaide
SA Water Corporation
This project was undertaken for the South Australian Water Corporation. The project involved the development of a detailed end use based demand forecasting and options model based on the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) integrated supply demand planning (iSDP) model. The project included the development of the iSDP model, a climate correction model and indicative suite of supply and demand-side options. It also included training of staff in the principles of Integrated Resource Planning and how to use the iSDP model as a future water planning tool.

Cost effectiveness analysis of WELS
Client: Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts
The Institute’s cost effectiveness analysis of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme (WELS) found that it cost-effectively contributes to water security compared to most other urban water management options. WELS was introduced in 2006 at a time of prolonged drought and is a key program to address water scarcity. It requires that toilets, clothes washing machines, dishwashers, urinals, taps and showers display a star rating of their water efficiency. Thus, it helps reduce water consumption by helping consumers consider water efficiency in their purchasing decision. WELS also sets mandatory maximum water use limits for toilets. However, the WELS program imposes administration and compliance costs for industry, and the Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts, commissioned the Institute to analyse the cost-effectiveness of WELS in contributing to water security compared to other urban water management options. The analysis found that WELS contributes to water security by reducing water consumption. It also found that WELS administrators and suppliers of WELS-related products are likely to bear the largest share of direct WELS costs. Finally, it found that WELS has other sustainability and financial benefits, such as consumer savings and avoided greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis used different methods to estimate and project water savings according to different data availability for each product type, and where possible, recent end-use survey data and sales data were used to conduct end-use and stock-modelling for each product.

Chong, J., Kazaglis, A. & Giurco, D. 2008, 'Cost-effectiveness analysis of WELS: the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme', Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney, Sydney, Australia, pp. 1-91.View/Download

Development of an integrated supply/demand model for the Australian Capital Territory
ACTEW Corporation Limited
The ACT Integrated Supply Demand Planning Model (ISDP) Study involved the development of a detailed water demand forecasting and options model. The options reflect the suite of responses to supply/ demand imbalances as forecast by the model, and include both supply-side and demand management options. The project was commissioned by Actew Corporation, and was co-funded by ActewAGL and the ACT Government's Office of Sustainability.
The objectives were: 1) To build a detailed water demand forecasting model based on an end-use approach; an associated options model, building on ISF's previous work for ACTEW; and a user friendly tool (ISDP model) to aid in water planning decision making; 2) To develop a wide range of options (e.g. water efficiency, source substitution, reuse and supply) developed and assessed using integrated resource planning); 3) To assess options in terms of costs, benefits and sustainability to aid both short and long- term decision-making; 4) To deliver a tool that can be integrated with other ACT tools (e.g. climate correction and yield models), and helps the water efficiency team to track demand management options and identify future budget requirements. The project used the existing Water Services of Australia (WSAA) software for end-use modelling, the" ISDP model". A unique feature of the study was the active engagement of ACT staff in the development of the model, with a view of building in-house capacity and end-use modelling expertise. The final model, consisting of an end-use forecasting module and an options module (including levelised cost estimates and estimates of greenhouse gas emisisons and energy use for each option) was delivered to the client in July 2007. With the capacity and expertise gathered in this collaborative project, ACT staff is well-placed to further populate and develop the ISDP model to address future water planning needs of the ACT

Demand management training in Alexandria, Egypt
Loughborough University
This EU-SWITCH funded project aims to build critically needed knowledge in urban demand management internationally. The project will provide training in demand management in Alexandria, Egypt, a demonstration city of the larger EU-SWITCH project. The training will be carried out by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) in collaboration with the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC), Loughborough University, UK, who are leading the demand management theme of the EU-SWITCH project. The training aims to promote the use of demand management as essential cost-effective alternatives to supply-side planning. Increasing water scarcity means that over the coming years the capacity to undertake appropriate economic analysis and deliver successful demand management programs that conserve water will be essential to securing urban water supply. The training materials developed for Alexandria will be adapted for other demonstration cities and used more widely through other EU-funded training activities and also for planned on-going actions of the International Water Association (IWA) International Demand Management Framework (IDMF) project.

Distributed system options for Rocky Springs
Client: Lend Lease Water Alliance
This Institute study identified and evaluated decentralised sewage management options for Lend Lease Water Alliance’s (LLWA) Rocky Springs development. LLWA commissioned the Institute to identify and assess possible alternative approaches to Rocky Springs sewage infrastructure across a broad range of criteria, including water efficiency and effectiveness, greenhouse emissions, costs, risks, etc. Decentralised options are thought to provide better sustainability outcomes. At the time of the study, the planning for the Rocky Springs development was in its later stages. This was a critical point in the decision making with respect to infrastructure, and decisions made at that time would determine the infrastructure needs for the life of the development. The Institute researchers took a collaborative approach in this project. The assessment occurred in two stages. First concepts and criteria were prepared and then discussed in a workshop with Lend Lease staff, and a subset of concepts was cleared for detailed analysis in stage 2. In the final stage, researchers examined four alternative distributed wastewater systems options, and one option (option 3) was identified as the best performer. They also provided recommendations for further steps.

End use model training
Client: Sydney Water Corporation
This project trained new staff from Sydney Water in the use of the End Use Model for long-term water resources planning, enabling future demand projections and options to be modelled down to the level of detail in the home of showers, gardens, clothes washing, and toilet use.

Estimating the marginal cost of water supply
Rous Water
The aim of this project was to obtain an updated estimate of the marginal cost of water supply in the Rous region, based on the existing plans for water supply augmentation in the region, which include the Wilsons River source (pumping from the Wilsons River, local treatment including microfiltration and supply to the system) as well as a future off-stream storage at Dunoon. The research involved analysis of the existing estimates of demand provided by a recent study undertaken by GeoLink Pty Ltd, as well as data on the capital and operating costs of the Wilsons River source and Dunoon Dam. The research concluded that the marginal cost of water had increased significantly since it was last estimated in 1997, and that this was mainly due to the high capital cost and proposed timeline for Dunoon Dam, and that the marginal cost was very sensitive to assumptions regarding the demand forecasts as well as Dunoon Dam timing.

EU SWITCH - demand management training in Alexandria, Egypt
Loughborough University
This EU-SWITCH funded project aims to build critically needed knowledge in urban demand management internationally. The project will provide training in demand management in Alexandria, Egypt, a demonstration city of the larger EU-SWITCH project. The training will be carried out by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) in collaboration with   the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC), Loughborough University, UK, who are leading the demand management theme of the EU-SWITCH project. The training aims to promote the use of demand management as essential cost-effective alternatives to supply-side planning. Increasing water scarcity means that over the coming years the capacity to undertake appropriate economic analysis and deliver successful demand management programs that conserve water will be essential to securing urban water supply. The training materials developed for Alexandria will be adapted for other demonstration cities and used more widely through other EU-funded training activities and also for planned on-going actions of the International Water Association (IWA) International Demand Management Framework (IDMF) project.

Evaluation of energy and water savings from WaterFix retrofits
Sydney Water Corporation
This collaborative project involved original applied research to develop an estimate of the energy and water savings resulting from Sydney Waters WaterFix and DIY retrofit programs. Under the WaterFix program a plumber visits a household to install water saving equipment. The DIY program provides householders with a kit they can install themselves. Rather than using an estimated saving per retrofit, the project used actual water and energy billing data to evaluate the savings achieved in practice by retrofits. This required cooperation between the Institute, EnergyAustralia and Sydney Water to integrate energy and water usage data from different customer databases. The methodological approach involved matching each retrofit participant with a non-participating control, using geographic information and data on usage patterns. The consumption differences between the matched pairs were then evaluated. The results of the analysis remain confidential at this time.

Evaluation of the One to One Program
Local Government Infrastructure Services
In April/May 2007 the Institute assisted the Queensland Government in the One to One Program by developing a survey about water using practices in the home. The survey form was sent to nearly 80,000 households in South East Queensland that use over 800 litres/household/day. The aim of the form was to find out how people use water and how the Government can help people save water during the current drought crisis gripping the region. Every household that filled out the form was sent a personalised response providing advice on how to save water around the home.
In October 2007 the Institute was asked by the Queensland Government to analyse the 70,000 responses received as part of the One to One Program to inform water policy and demand management in the region in the future.

The full spectrum: estimating real costs of urban water
Funded by: Victorian Smart Water Fund

Research was undertaken to develop tools and processes that enable the water industry to estimate the cost of externalities associated with Melbourne’s urban water services provided by Melbourne Water and the three Metropolitan retailers, Yarra Valley Water, Central West Water and South East Water. Externalities are those impacts of economic activity that are not paid for because they are not reflected in the price of the service or product that causes the impact. Research was undertaken to identify the sources of externalities (both positive and negative) associated with the present supply arrangements within Melbourne. The project conducted two pilot studies to identify the most suitable processes and tools at different spatial scales (local/suburb vs. regional/metropolitan) as well as different social perspectives (consumer vs. citizen). Drawing from the extensive literature on non-market valuation, the two pilot studies trialled three prominent non-market valuation methods: benefit transfer, contingent valuation and deliberative valuation. The ISF researchers developed an Externalities Toolbox that summarises results from the two pilot studies and provides the Victorian Water Industry with a Toolbox for applying non-market valuation of water-related externalities in a number of different practical settings, including pricing and project planning.

Guide to Demand Management
Water Services Association of Australia
The Institute developed a framework and guide to aid members of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) in assessing the water supply-demand balance in their area and determine how demand management can assist in filling the gap. The framework, which is based on the principles of Least Cost Planning/Integrated Resource Planning (LCP/IRP), was developed through a comprehensive review of Australian and international literature, a synthesis of expertise in this field and a review of case studies already implemented in Australia using these principles.  The framework includes a structured approach to demand forecasting using sector and end-use based approaches, options assessment and implementation and evaluation of demand management programs. The outcome of the project is a step-by-step guide which complements other tools and training material developed for WSAA that will assist water service providers across Australia to use best practice approaches to urban water planning. The Guide is a successor to the 1998 WSAA publication "Wise water management: a demand management manual for water utilities" edited by Institute Director, Stuart White, and now out of print.

Turner, A., Willetts, J., Fane, S., Giurco, D., Kazaglis, A., & White, S. 2008 Guide to Demand Management, Water Services Association of Australia. Download/view (PDF 7.18MB)

Impact of urban water conservation strategies on end use water consumption in residential households
Australian Research Council
In 2006, Dr Rodney Stewart of Griffith University with the Institute Director, Prof. Stuart White, were awarded an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant, in collaboration with Wide Bay Water Corporation, Gold Coast Water and the Queensland Water Directorate. The aim of the project is to investigate the impact of urban water conservation strategies on end-use water consumption in residential households. The research will be undertaken in collaboration with the water utility partners and will use smart water meters and data loggers to gauge the degree of water savings attributable to savings programs.

National rainwater and greywater initiative - input into design of rebates for households and Surf Life Saving Clubs
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
The Institute provided technical advice to the federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) to support the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative (NRGI). The NRGI represents a $300 million investment by the federal government in rebates for households and surf life saving clubs wishing to install rainwater and greywater systems. ISF undertook analyses of potential water savings and costs for rainwater and greywater systems installed in households around Australia. The results of these analyses were used to inform the design of rebate criteria. ISF also provided advice on eligibility criteria and program design to maximise water savings resulting from the rebate program.

North Eveleigh water management plan
Redfern Waterloo Authority
The Institute for Sustainable Futures were engaged by the Redfern Waterloo Authority in late 2007 to investigate sustainable water management options for the North Eveleigh carriageworks site. The 11 hectare site is located in inner city Sydney and is scheduled for redevelopment as a mixed use precinct. ISF modelled options for water efficiency, integrated water cycle management and water sensitive urban design on the site within a sustainability framework that set clear targets and actions for achieving a 'sustainable' or 'restorative' development. These options were presented as a Water Management Plan, which provided input for the site's environmental assessment and overall masterplan.

Qualitative decentralised system concepts
Client: Melbourne Water
Institute researchers help in the development of a Metropolitan Sewerage Strategy for Melbourne. Melbourne Water, in collaboration with City West Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water are developing the 2009 Strategy for the provision of sustainable sewerage services to Melbourne over the next fifty years. The Strategy seeks to accommodate the uncertainties facing the sewerage industry and it has recognised that centralised systems of sewerage provision is not necessarily the best model for Melbourne in the future. Early stages of developing the Strategy determined a scenario planning process, and the following stages will develop and plan for these future scenarios. It is necessary to develop a portfolio of qualitative and quantitative designs of decentralised and on-site systems to develop the best ‘mix’ of centralised and decentralised systems for the scenarios. Thus the project goal was to support the Strategy to develop this ‘mix’, and specifically, to assemble a portfolio of decentralised concepts and case studies applicable to a range of development types. A shortened list of ideas will be taken forward and developed into quantitative engineering design concepts in the next step of the Strategy. The scope of the study was broad, and the institute engaged an extensive local, national, and international network of experts to generate concepts and case studies. In addition, web-based literature and case studies were used. The process led to the identification of challenges, as well as key lessons and recommendations.

Mitchell, C.A., Abeysuriya, K.R. & Fam, D.M. 2008, 'Development of qualitative decentralized system concepts for the 2009 Metropolitan Sewerage Strategy. vol 1: synthesis report', Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia. View/Download

Mitchell, C.A., Abeysuriya, K.R. & Fam, D.M. 2008, 'Development of qualitative decentralized system concepts for the 2009 Metropolitan Sewerage Strategy. vol 2: concepts and case studies', Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney, Australia.
View/Download

Showerhead exchange
South East Water Limited
South East Water (SEW), a water provider in Victoria, commissioned ISF to conduct an evaluation into the water savings achieved by its Showerhead Exchange program whereby households bring in their old showerhead in exchange for a water efficient showerhead. The water savings achieved translates into carbon credits for SEW and can be used for future carbon trading opportunities. The objective of this project was therefore to estimate the water savings achieved through the Showerhead Exchange, in order to calculate the appropriate carbon credit SEW can accrue for its program.

Smart Water Fund: innovative end use measurement
Smart Water Fund
A team from ISF and the CSIRO were engaged by the Victorian Smart Water Fund to investigate and develop innovative solutions for residential end-use measurement and metering. The team reviewed end use studies and technologies and identified current best practice for data capture and analysis. The project investigated opportunities to improve the accuracy of collected data, reduce the costs of hardware and minimise the time required at the customer's property for installation and calibration. Previous pilot and full-scale end-use metering studies have shown there is significant potential to enhance the value of the data collected from such research. Novel technological solutions were investigated with new technologies tested in a laboratory mini water house and in residential dwellings in Melbourne. Based on best practice end use measurement and a review of technologies, the team developed a Guidebook for Residential End Use Measurement which offers valuable support for future studies in the areas of study design, sampling and technology selection.

Giurco, D., Carrard, N.R., McFallan, S., Nalbantoglu, M., Inman, M., Thornton, N. & White, S. 2008, Residential End Use Measurement Guidebook: a guide to study design, sampling and technology, [prepared for Smart Water Fund, Victoria], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS and CSIRO, Sydney.
View/Download paper (PDF 705.64KB)

Submission on Traveston Dam EIS
Client: Hervey Bay City Council
The Institute conducted research for Hervey Bay City Council into the extent to which the Traveston Dam Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) incorporated the potential impacts of the dam on the Fraser Coast region. In particular, the researchers took into account the water security implications and downstream socio-economic impacts. The outcome of the research was a submission to the EIS that concluded that the EIS did not adequately incorporate the downstream impacts of the dam into the EIS. Specifically, it was found that the impacts of the Dam on water security in the Fraser Coast region had not been sufficiently assessed in the EIS, and that the Dam would affect the stream flow of the Mary River. Thus, it may impact on the ability of the River to cater for the future water demands of the region. The researchers further found that the analysis of economic and social impacts in the EIS did not consider the full range of costs, benefits, and uncertainties likely to be imposed by the Dam. The final submissions also outlined what kind of assessment would need to be conducted. The submission was tabled in early January 2008. The EIS received over 10,000 submissions.

Alice Springs water efficiency stage 3 - implementation feasibility study

Analysis of Australian opportunities for more water-efficient toilets

Analysis of long term savings in the Greater Geelong supply region

Automated water metering costs and benefits

Barwon Water Strategy

Barwon Water End Use Model Training

Estimation of savings for Smart Approved Watermark

Getting the Basics Right: water and sanitation in South East Asia and the Pacific

High end water users program survey

Integrated resource planning framework and guide

International demand management framework

Lifting the bar on water and energy infrastructure in Canberra greenfield developments

North Eveleigh carriageworks sustainable water and energy management options

Opportunities for urban water conservation and recycling in coastal NSW

Pressure and leakage reduction program study

Review of Victorian water supply-demand options and risks

Review of water supply-demand options for South East Queensland

Role of water efficiency in new houses in Victoria

Scenario planning for water in the Australian Capital Territory

Sydney Water end use model review

Urban planning impacts - UTS Challenge Grant

UTS Challenge Grant: trans-disciplinary catchment management

Water end use model training

Alice Springs water efficiency stage 3 - implementation feasibility study
Power & Water Authority
Stage 3 of the Alice Springs Water Efficiency Study builds on the significant demand forecasting and options work undertaken in 2003 (Stages 1 & 2). This stage of the Study completed in 2007 has essentially been a feasibility study into the implementation of a demand management program. The work included: review of the demand forecasts developed in 2003; assessment of previously designed (stage 2) water efficiency options; expansion of options including rainwater tanks, greywater systems and reuse; assessment of options including greenhouse gas costs and benefits; development of an implementation work plan; financial and avoided cost analysis and assessment of pricing.

White, S., Turner, A.J., Edgerton, N. 2007, Alice Springs water efficiency study stage 3: implementation feasiblity study, [prepared for Northern Territory Government], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney. View/Download paper

Analysis of Australian opportunities for more water-efficient toilets
Client: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
This Institute study found that despite impressive gains in water efficiency in toilets the potential for further gains are worth considering. Toilet flushing represents a significant proportion of total water supplied to Australian cities and towns, and over time the level of possible savings of increased efficiency is significant. The Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (now Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities) commissioned the Institute to explore the possibilities for even more water-efficient toilets than the current four star rated toilets under the Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards Scheme (WELS). Under WELS products are labeled based on their water efficiency, the more stars the more water efficient. Reports on the WELS program have suggested toilets could provide 22 per cent of the scheme’s total water savings. This study specifically considers what would be needed to introduce WELS five and six star rated toilet models. The research approach was designed to identify and assess both the opportunity for and the barriers to more water-efficient flush toilet classes being introduced to Australia. The investigation involved interviewing key stakeholders, modeling possible water savings, and analyzing the likely technical and regulatory or standards related barriers and possible solutions to the perceived barriers.

Analysis of long term savings in the Greater Geelong supply region
Barwon Region Water Authority
The Institute for Sustainable Futures   worked with Barwon Water to undertake research into what future water demand projections may follow an extended period of drought restrictions that have been in place in Geelong and surrounds. In short, will consumption return to pre-drought levels or will the drought lead to more efficient practices and technologies being adopted and what will be their long term influence on demand? Projected rises in water prices in the region were   also assessed for their likely effect on demand using price elasticity data.

Automated water metering costs and benefits
Wide Bay Water Corporation
The Institute worked with WBWC to identify the costs and benefits associated with a proposed new metering system which would allow remote reading of meters and provide time of use data on residential water use. ISF calculated the likely magnitude of costs and benefits, based on assumptions about how the system will be used, and comparing them - for both the 'pioneer' scenario (WBWC) with its escalated research and communications project costs and also a 'routine' scenario, where another utility might draw on the experiences of Wide Bay and hence reduce their total direct project costs. The Scoping Paper identified opportunities for WBWC to maximise benefit (including water savings) through the project.

Barwon Water Strategy
Barwon Region Water Authority
This project developed a sector-based water demand forecasting model for Barwon Water using the Integrated Supply Demand Planning tool used by many utilities around Australia. Additionally an options model was developed to determine the costs and potential water savings from future options to meet supply-demand balance at the least cost society. A supply-demand balance decision making framework that utilises the internationally recognised best practice approach of integrated resource planning (IRP) was developed to assist Barwon Water in the short term to meet short and longer term planning needs as part of an adaptive management process. An addition to the project involved statistically analysing the water savings associated with mains water pressure reductions in the Grovedale region of Geelong.

Barwon Water End Use Model Training (also in 2006 on FMP)
Barwon Region Water Authority
ISF trained Barwon Water water planners in the use of the WSSA End Use Model to facilitate improve water planning.

Estimation of savings for Smart Approved Watermark
Smart Approved Watermark
In mid 2007, ISF was engaged by Smart Approved Watermark (SAWM) to undertake research into the likely savings to be achieved by products certified under the SAWM certification. The SAWM is a certification process aimed at achieving profile for effective water efficient products. The focus of SAWM is on outdoor products, such as pool covers and soil moisture sensors. This certification complements the WELS scheme that applies nationally to efficient appliances for indoor water efficiency. ISF will undertake an investigation of the full range of products endorsed by the SAWM program and the potential for water savings that would be associated with installing each product, in an average household. The results of this research will feed into an online "pledge tool" which encourages consumer to agree to install water efficient products via education about the volume of water savings that can be achieved. The pledge tool will be accessible on-line after the national launch during Water Week in October 2007.

Getting the Basics Right: water and sanitation in South East Asia and the Pacific
World Vision
As Australia's overseas development aid assistance is set to double over the next four years, the Institute was commissioned by World Vision Australia and Water Aid Australia to provide research evidence to contribute to the debate on how best to direct investments. Their research report on the role of domestic water and sanitation in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development in our region Getting the Basics Right, Water and Sanitation in South East Asia and the Pacific makes a number of recommendations on how AusAID, the Australian government aid agency, can improve its investment in water and sanitation to promote development, economic growth and productivity in the region.

Willetts, J.R., Mitchell, C.A., Carrard, N.R. 2007, Getting the Basics Right: Water and Sanitation in South East Asia and the Pacific, World Vision Australia and WaterAid Australia, Melbourne, pp. 1-20. View/Download paper (PDF 672.67KB)

High end water users program survey
Local Government Infrastructure Services
The Institute was commissioned to assist the Qld Government to develop a web based survey/questionnaire to assist high residential water users in the South East Queensland region to save water. The questionnaire was developed to help individual households think through how they use water and therefore how they might be able to save water during the drought. The survey was designed in such a way as to develop personalised action plans for each household which helped individuals save water by changing both technology and the way they use water around the home, taking advantage of current water efficiency initiatives where available.  

Integrated Resource Planning Framework and Guide
Water Services Association of Australia
The project has involved the development of a framework and associated guide to aid members of the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) in assessing the water supply-demand balance in their area and determining how demand management can assist in filling the gap. The framework which is based on the principles of Least Cost Planning/Integrated Resource Planning (LCP/IRP) has been developed through a comprehensive review of Australian and international literature, synthesis of expertise in this field and review of case studies already implemented in Australia using these principles.   The framework includes a structured approach to demand forecasting using sector and end use based approaches, options assessment and implementation and evaluation of demand management programs. The outcome of the project is a step-by-step guide which compliments other tools and training material developed for WSAA that will assist water service providers across Australia to use best practice approaches to urban water planning. The Guide is a successor to the 1998 WSAA publication "Wise water management: a demand management manual for water utilities" edited by Institute Director, Stuart White, and now out of print.

The International Demand Management Framework
Canal de Isabel II
The International Demand Management Framework (IDMF) is being co-ordinated by the International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Group - Efficient Operation & Management under Task Force No. 7. The Task Force Leaders are Francisco Cubillo from Canal de Isabel II (the Madrid water utility) and Professor Stuart White of the Institute for Sustainable Futures.  The staged IDMF study will ultimately form a step-by-step guide to demand management in the context of urban water planning for developed, emerging and developing countries alike. Stage 1 of the IDMF has focused on: a preliminary literature review, development of an urban water planning framework and setting criteria for best practice aspects of the framework and demand management. It has also tested the framework and criteria developed by using Canal de Isabel II as a benchmarking case study.  Additional stages of the IDMF are currently in progress.

Turner, A.J., Willetts, J.R. & White, S. 2006, The International Demand Management Framework Stage 1, [prepared for Canal de Isabel II], Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, Sydney.
View/Download paper (PDF 3.91MB)

Lifting the bar on water and energy infrastructure in Canberra greenfield developments
Land Development Agency
The Institute was commissioned by the ACT's Land Development Agency to assist in creating guidelines for potential joint venture participants for the latest greenfield development at the northern ACT suburb of Crace. Like other State Government land developers, LDA's role encompasses industry leadership. LDA's vision for Crace is that it should set a new standard in sustainability initiatives in the ACT, so LDA has high expectations for water and energy demand and supply. ISF reviewed the opportunities for Crace, and specified targets that align with LDA's intentions, and are qualitatively different from current thinking what is best practice. The notional targets set significant water and energy use reductions for the residential land release. They are strong targets, relative to current best practice, with a focus on efficiency first (e.g. efficient appliances for water, high level passive solar design for energy, then source substitution for water (e.g. raintanks, greywater reuse, sewer mining) and low emission and/or renewables for energy (e.g. solar hot water and efficient gas heating provisions).

North Eveleigh carriageworks sustainable water and energy management options
Client: Redfern Waterloo Authority
Sustainable water management options were developed for the North Eveleigh carriageworks site, an eleven hectare site in inner city Sydney scheduled for redevelopment by the Redfern Waterloo Authority as a mixed use precinct. ISF researchers modelled options for water efficiency, integrated water cycle management and water sensitive urban design on the site within a sustainability framework that set clear targets and actions for achieving a 'sustainable' or 'restorative' development. These options were presented as a Water Management Plan, which provided input for the site's environmental assessment and overall masterplan. An Energy Management Plan (EMP) was also developed for the site. The aim of the EMP was to determine options for sustainable energy management, examine the technical and economic feasibility of those options and provide recommendations for energy management on the site when it is redeveloped for residential and commercial uses. The report outlined sustainable and restorative energy targets for the site and modelled options that could achieve these targets.

Opportunities for urban water conservation & recycling in coastal NSW
Natural Resources Advisory Council
The Natural Resources Advisory Council of NSW (NRAC) commissioned the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) to investigate the barriers and opportunities to increase water recycling and conservation in the coastal region of NSW then to prepare a discussion paper that synthesises the key learnings and conclusions that can be draw from the study. The overarching question for consideration in the project was ‘What are the opportunities or barriers for urban water conservation and recycling in coastal NSW?’ The context for this research was to inform and prompt discussion in the community, Local government, Utilities and Government sectors about how to maximize opportunities for conserving and recycling water in urban areas. This was important for coastal regions in NSW which face increased population pressure and hence water demand and were significant water conservation and recycling opportunities existed.

Pressure and leakage reduction program study
Client: Gold Coast Water
Institute researchers found statistically significant water savings for nine of the ten participant zones analysed in a study of Gold Coast’s Pressure and Leakage (P&L) reduction program. Gold Coast Water (GCW) contracted the Institute to evaluate the customer water savings achieved as a result of the P&L program. In 2003 GCW started a pressure management trial, and after rewarding findings, it was extended to 24 district metering zones. The main goal of pressure reduction is to reduce leakage and the impact of mains bursts. This will save water in the reticulation system, but reduced pressure is also expected to shrink demand on the customer side of the water meter, that is, at the household level. Measuring these savings is therefore also important to get a complete picture of the benefits of pressure reduction. The researchers used a participant/control approach to investigate the savings. Based on their monthly demand over a 12-month period, the single households within the boundary of the participant zones were matched with the households located outside the boundaries across the GCW supply region. The researchers filtered the control households to ensure they were those best suited for the analysis, and then calculated the savings using a paired t-test applied before and after pressure was reduced in the participant zones.

Review of Victorian water supply-demand options and risks
Client: ACIL Tasman
Research by ACIL Tasman and the Institute provided input to the work of the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment examining the short- and longer-term options for dealing with pressures on Victoria’s water supply systems. Victoria has experienced lower than average rainfall, leading to dam storage levels dropping and invoking restrictions on water use. Future levels of supply and demand are uncertain. Thus the analysis included the costing and assessment of a portfolio of supply and demand options that would achieve water security cost effectively. The researchers undertook a high level strategic review of the range of short- and longer-term options available for both supply and demand management. The review was embedded in a decision framework designed to deal with the immediate threats to supply, but also with the risks of unnecessary or inappropriate investment in system capacity and demand structures. The researchers applied modern options principles to explore the scope for a more proactive adaptive response strategy to balance the risks cost effectively. This means considering active investment in a range of insurance measures in the form of flexible options that can be deployed as needed, but possibly avoided or deferred if actual rainfall exceeds worst case prospects. The analysis supports developing a series of readiness options. The review has not sought to recommend the optimal strategy in detail, but developed a framework that can help guide the development of a cost effective risk management and water supply strategy in the future.

Review of Water Supply-Demand Options for South East Queensland
Noosa Shire Council
This project was commissioned by the Mary River Council of Mayors representing a community of half a million people to the north of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Region. The project was conducted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and Cardno in 2006/07 and aimed to provide an independent review of both the supply-demand balance and range of drought management and long term water supply strategies being proposed by the Qld Government. The work consisted primarily of a review of existing and proposed activities associated with the SEQ drought management and longer term water supply strategy and expansion of options considered where appropriate. The aim of the project being to ensure that a broad spectrum of options are considered that optimise economic, environmental and social outcomes for the SEQ communities both in the current drought and over the longer term. The review found the Traveston Crossing dam scheme is neither necessary nor desirable as part of the strategy to secure water for the region.Download executive summary of the report (PDF 320KB) Download full report (PDF 5.7 MB). The ISF review was submitted to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport (RRAT) Committee Inquiry into Additional Water Supplies for South East Queensland. Institute Director Professor Stuart White was invited to give evidence at the Inquiry. The transcript is available at http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/senate/commttee/S10140.pdf (PDF 650.41KB). On the final day of Inquiry hearings, the Queensland Water Commission (QWC) tabled a critique of the ISF review of water options for South East Queensland. The critique was commissioned by the QWC and written by Marsden Jacob Associates and MWH Consulting Engineers. You can read the critique at http://www.qwc.qld.gov.au/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=86 (opens an external site). ISF has written a detailed response to the QWC report which clarifies key concepts and methods brought into question in the QWC report and reinforces the key finding of the original ISF Review that Traveston Dam is not necessary to ensure water security for South East Queensland. Download ISF's response to the QWC report (PDF 992.16KB). Prior to the Senate Inquiry, ISF prepared a response to a criticism of the report in a media release issues by the Queensland Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure Ms Anna Bligh. Download the response (PDF 180KB). ISF's involvement in South East Queensland Water debates was also the subject of a presentation by Stuart White to a Public Meeting on behalf of the Mary River Council of Mayors at West End on 30 March 2007. Download PDF (PDF 964KB) An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) by the Queensland Water Commission on the impacts of the Dam at Traveston Crossing was released for public comment in October 2007. A submission from the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) on this EIS was submitted to the Department of Instructure and Planing on 11 January 2008. This submission outlines significant flaws in the Traveston Crossing Dam EIS relating to the transparency and rigour of analysis and conclusions. Of particular concern is the failure of the EIS to address several cost effective practical alternatives to Traveston Crossing Dam, the failure to report basic assumptions behind assessment of water security needs and the absence of an adequate assessment of the greenhouse gas impacts of Traveston Crossing Dam in comparison to other alternatives. Download/view this submission (PDF 615.62KB). The Institute also contributed to a submission prepared for Hervey Bay Council by Natural Solutions Environmental Consultants which focused on impacts to the Fraser Coast Region. In particular, the water security implications and downstream socio-economic impacts. Download/view this submisison (PDF 728.77KB). These submissions were included in the over 10,000 submissions tabled in early January 2008. These submissions are being evaluated to determine whether the EIS is an adequate basis for decision making regarding the dam.

Role of water efficiency in new houses in Victoria
Client: ACIL Tasman
Together with ACIL Tasman, the Institute developed recommendations for developing a water efficiency target for new or renovated households as part of the broader review of the current 5 Star building regulations for the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment. The team also investigated how this target could operate together with the existing Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme (WELS), and the potential for minimum water efficiency standards to be set on some products. The primary objective of the study was to identify the most cost-effective target for saving water in new households. The researchers used an integrated resource planning or least cost planning perspective to measure the cost-effectiveness. The analysis showed that water efficiency measures have significantly lower costs than source substitution options. Thus, the research indicates that the most appropriate residential water saving target for the Melbourne region was at the time of the study a reduction in water use of 30 kL/a, because a higher target requires source substitution and would be more expensive. WELS was found to be the most cost effective regulatory option for saving water in households. Minimum standards on some products could increase the cost effectiveness of WELS and its contribution to water security. The scope of the quantitative cost-effectiveness analysis was a single residential household in Melbourne, defined as the ‘baseline’ household. However, the implications help inform an understanding of the cost effectiveness for non-baseline households.

Scenario planning for water in the Australian Capital Territory
Client: ACT Chief Minister's Department
The Institute provided support and advice to the Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Chief Minister’s Department Water Security Taskforce on high-level planning scenarios to examine options that ensure the short and long-term water security for the ACT region. Planning to secure water is complex and uncertain for both the long and short term. Scenario planning is a tool to help think systematically about such possible complex and uncertain futures. This study identifies future uncertainties, constructs a set of scenarios, identifies possible water security options, and assesses the water security options under different scenarios. However, the scenarios will not represent the full range of plausible futures, as they are unlikely to capture all uncertain factors. Scenario planning is a way to highlight and capture the potential advantages of an adaptive, flexible approach to water security planning. The study builds on recent water security planning undertaken for the ACT region, including ACTEW’s Water Security program. Further, it draws on the experiences of water security planning around the country. Developing the scenarios involved a series of discussions with the Taskforce and a roundtable discussion with government and industry stakeholders. The Institute’s analysis is underpinned by the principles of integrated resource planning, adaptive management, and sustainability assessment. The ACT Government commissioned the Institute.  

Sydney Water end use model review
Sydney Water Corporation
Sydney Water engaged ISF to review and recalibrate their end use model. The end use model uses assumptions about the stock of water-using appliances and equipment to estimate the amount of water used in various ways in the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial sectors. The objective of the review was to improve the accuracy of the model, include new data identified since the model was developed and align the model with reporting structures. The review analysed factors contributing to trends in single and multi-residential dwelling demand, updated stock models and undertook investigations into non-residential demand to support the recalibration process. The project also developed a Research Plan to guide future development of the model. The project identified a need for additional primary research to achieve further improvements in the model structure.

Urban Planning Impacts - UTS Challenge Grant
University of Technology, Sydney
We aim to foster innovative, sustainable approaches to city planning through an interdisciplinary collaboration, that addresses the current disconnect between urban planning and environmental impacts. This project will review existing planning models fo

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New thinking for professionalising WASH services for the poor

24 Apr 2013

Expanding the digital frontier of sustainable urban water management

10 Dec 2012

Sanitation and water for all

10 Dec 2012

Water saving may lead to big stink

21 Nov 2012

Urine diversion trialled in Sydney

21 Nov 2012

Saving water in the home

07 Nov 2012

Many minds flush with ideas

06 Nov 2012

Radio interview with Prof Mitchell & Dena Fam on urine diverting toilets

05 Nov 2012

Reinventing the toilet - urine diversion where it's needed most

24 Oct 2012

'System shift' eyed at wastewater conference

24 Oct 2012

Radio interview with Prof White about water restrictions

22 Oct 2012

You can lead a horse to recycled water...

16 Oct 2012

Research examines economic benefits of water recycling

21 Aug 2012

Water leaders share insights

08 Aug 2012

ISF is a finalist for three NSW 2012 Green Globe awards

01 Aug 2012

Waterbooks workshop

18 Jul 2012

Challenge 2: Water; a local resource, a global problem

12 Jun 2012

Looking beyond the drought

04 Jun 2012

ISF at OzWater

22 May 2012

Wat2Do: Planning for Resilient Water Systems

21 Mar 2012

Radio interview with Prof. White re. overflowing dam

19 Mar 2012

Radio interview with Prof White about desal plant

29 Feb 2012

Radio interview with Prof White about desal plant

29 Feb 2012

Sydney dams full but desal plant still pumping

29 Feb 2012

Deluge to drive New South Wales' Warragamba dam over the edge

29 Feb 2012

A new dam problem

27 Feb 2012

Salty invoice for freshwater

20 Feb 2012

Desalination test may waste millions

20 Feb 2012

Valuing urine as a useful resource

24 Jan 2012

Water sensitive cities

23 Nov 2011

Research into sanitation options wins international award

23 Nov 2011

Radio interview about water management in Queensland

16 Nov 2011

Saving water in the home

14 Nov 2011

Desalination deconstructed

25 Oct 2011

Navigating opportunities in smart metering

19 Oct 2011

Rainwater tanks with pumps costly

05 Oct 2011

Lifeblood

05 Oct 2011

Television interview with Stuart White on Sydney's desalination plant

04 Oct 2011

Is small the new big for recycled water?

26 Sep 2011

Moratorium end threatens river flow

19 Sep 2011

Television interview with Stuart White on Sydney's desalination plant

19 Sep 2011

Water salted away as prices rise

12 Sep 2011

Dams almost at flood level

05 Sep 2011

Submit ideas for documentary

09 Aug 2011

Water-saving schemes axed to boost price of desal plant, Greens say

08 Aug 2011

iSaveH2O rain tank calculator

27 Jul 2011

Toilet Talk

01 Jun 2011

Water Stories: Water in the Landscape

23 May 2011

Peer learning taps into WASH expertise

23 May 2011

Efficient use and management of water

19 Apr 2011

Capacity could be matched by simple water-conserving rules

12 Apr 2011

Independent review of coal mine risks

28 Mar 2011

Integrated Resource Planning for Urban Water

28 Mar 2011

Radio interview about Tillegra Dam

21 Mar 2011

Radio news story about best practice water planning

11 Mar 2011

Sydney's studies water recycling

01 Mar 2011

Decentralised water planned for the City of Sydney

22 Feb 2011

GHD-led consortium to develop Sydney plan for city-wide recycled water network

21 Feb 2011

Sydney Council Gets Waterwise

04 Feb 2011

Plans for recycled water network underway

31 Jan 2011

Plans for recycled water network underway

27 Jan 2011

The Institute's WASH work

24 Jan 2011

To dam or not to dam?

24 Jan 2011

When the dam breaks

06 Dec 2010

Extracts from water meeting at Orange

06 Dec 2010

There's no immediate Hunter water crisis

06 Dec 2010

Radio interview with Simon Fane about Tillegra Dam

01 Dec 2010

Radio interview with Simon Fane about Hunter water security plan

01 Dec 2010

Radio interview with Simon Fane about Tillegra Dam

01 Dec 2010

Water saving replaces dam

01 Dec 2010

New strategy to protect from drought

01 Dec 2010

NBN news story: Water Conservation all that's needed for Hunter

01 Dec 2010

Capacity could be matched by simple water-conserving rules

29 Nov 2010

Alexandria Water Efficiency Study

26 Nov 2010

Paradise lost in limbo

23 Nov 2010

Dam result celebrated

15 Nov 2010

Emotions strong one year after dam

15 Nov 2010

Industries to exchange wastewater in trial project

08 Nov 2010

Introducing the 'yellow' plumber

11 Oct 2010

Bringing the industry together

11 Oct 2010

Unfathomable foresight

27 Sep 2010

Smarter infrastructure may make our cities more livable at lower cost

24 Sep 2010

Smart networks need collaboration

24 Sep 2010

Radio interview about Tillegra Dam

24 Sep 2010

Justification for Tillegra Dam 'unrealistic and absurd', Greens say

21 Sep 2010

Water calculator upgraded

03 Sep 2010

No dam debate as Kurnell set for expansion

03 Sep 2010

NSW Opposition Leader vows to protect the Williams River

05 Aug 2010

Joint clean-up effort breathes life into waterway

03 Aug 2010

We don't need the dam

03 Aug 2010

Radio interview with Simon Fane about Tillegra Dam

03 Aug 2010

Politicians to state views on dam

03 Aug 2010

Cynthia Mitchell honoured in WME 2010 Leaders List

21 Jul 2010

Radio interview with Stuart White about the state of NSW rivers

24 May 2010

Opposition won't back Tillegra dam

24 May 2010

University report damns Hunter Water's justification of dam

10 May 2010

Response to Hunter Water's submission to build a dam at Tillegra

10 May 2010

Water saving calculator from Caroma Dorf enhanced and expanded for new building use

04 May 2010

Critical issues of dam 'not covered'

29 Apr 2010

Radio news story about Tillegra Dam

27 Apr 2010

Cool and calculated

27 Apr 2010

Criticism of report

12 Apr 2010

Radio inverview about Tillegra Dam

08 Apr 2010

Same old watery line

30 Mar 2010

Tillegra: the verdict

22 Mar 2010

Full green ahead: lighten your water and energy load by scaling back on gadgets and appliances

22 Mar 2010

Hunter Water fails to answer Tillegra critics

18 Mar 2010

From the ground up

18 Mar 2010

Water damage

09 Mar 2010

Australian professor gives presentation on urban water and infrastructure

08 Mar 2010

Green stars shine bright

16 Feb 2010

Radio interview with Stuart White about Tillegra Dam

08 Feb 2010

Radio interview with Stuart White about Tillegra Dam

08 Feb 2010

Australians live in world's biggest houses

05 Feb 2010

Enough water to cope with big bang

05 Feb 2010

Radio interview with Stuart White about cancelling Tillegra Dam

05 Feb 2010

Academic urges Tillegra Dam scrapping

05 Feb 2010

Radio interview with Stuart White about the new desalination plant in Sydney

02 Feb 2010

Cost of water plant to hit $1.6b, say Greens

01 Feb 2010

Premier brings $1.9bn desal plant on line

01 Feb 2010

Radio interview with Stuart white about Kurnell desalination plant

27 Jan 2010

Water rates rise extra blow for pensioners: elderly already facing higher power bills.

25 Jan 2010

Water's quick fix a long-term drain

25 Jan 2010

Limit desal plant's use, says academic

25 Jan 2010

Water charges are set to spiral

25 Jan 2010

Water down the drain

21 Jan 2010

Desal doubts remain

14 Jan 2010

Houses too big, say Greens

13 Jan 2010

Dam axing won't push up water costs, academic says

13 Jan 2010

Precious water, precious little

13 Jan 2010

Major corporates working towards first industrial ecology project

23 Dec 2009

The $2 billion drop from the ocean

21 Dec 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White on larger new houses

01 Dec 2009

Group wades in on debate

26 Nov 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White about the controversy surrounding the proposed Tillegra Dam.

16 Nov 2009

Lest we forget the Orkopoulos diversion

13 Nov 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White on Traveston Dam

13 Nov 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White on South East Queensland's demand for water

13 Nov 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White questioning the need for four more desalination plants in Queensland.

13 Nov 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White on the decision to reject Traveston Dam

13 Nov 2009

Expert says desalination not the answer to our water woes

13 Nov 2009

Expert pours cold water on desalination

13 Nov 2009

Expert says dams not the answer

13 Nov 2009

Expert pours cold water on desalination option

13 Nov 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White on water prices

13 Nov 2009

Expert pours cold water on desalination

13 Nov 2009

Traveston turmoil for nothing, Springborg says

13 Nov 2009

One step closer to saving the Williams River and halting the Tillegra Dam

09 Nov 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White about Efficient 2009.

26 Oct 2009

Radio news with comments by Stuart White about Efficient2009.

26 Oct 2009

Bob guns for Garrett: Mayor wants meeting to put no-dam case.

14 Oct 2009

Tillegra ups carbon load

14 Oct 2009

Radio NBN Newcastle Hunter news

12 Oct 2009

We don't want it and that's damn straight

01 Oct 2009

Tillegra Dam is a half billion dollar mistake

01 Oct 2009

Tillegra opposition group wants plan abandoned

01 Oct 2009

Saving Mary, from source to the sea

01 Oct 2009

No dam support from Baldwin

01 Oct 2009

Flood of conscience can break the wall

11 Sep 2009

Aussie consumers going green

11 Sep 2009

Eco maniacs

11 Sep 2009

Report rejects grounds for dam

20 Aug 2009

Radio interview with Monique Retamal about the Tillegra Dam

20 Aug 2009

Reasons for dam unfounded

20 Aug 2009

Tillegra Dam is only option for our region

20 Aug 2009

Desal figures add salt to wound

20 Aug 2009

Report rejects grounds for Tillegra Dam

06 Aug 2009

Reasons for dam unfounded

04 Aug 2009

Dam 'ridiculous'

04 Aug 2009

Dunking for dam: abandon Tillegra plan

04 Aug 2009

Report rejects grounds for dam

03 Aug 2009

A damned dam has $500m bill

03 Aug 2009

$2.5b doubts over drought-proofing

03 Aug 2009

An independent review of the need for Tillegra Dam

03 Aug 2009

Water conservation under pressure

27 Jul 2009

Guidance materials for small-scale decentralised wastewater systems

29 Jun 2009

When saving water costs energy

28 May 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White on the need for flexibility to deal with uncertainty over water

26 May 2009

Study of surf zone health risks

05 May 2009

Sewage dumped in the deep loo sea

05 May 2009

Radio interview with Simon Fane

05 May 2009

Useful checklist

03 Apr 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White about desalination

03 Apr 2009

Calculating real-life water use

03 Apr 2009

Re-use the key to sustainable supply

03 Apr 2009

Hunter lags on urban water rules

03 Apr 2009

Meeting the sanitation and water challenge in South East Asia and the Pacific

31 Mar 2009

The sanitation and water conference 2008, SE Asia and Pacific

18 Mar 2009

Water Quality Research Australia Limited (WQRA)

18 Mar 2009

Telling any 'dam' one who'll listen

17 Feb 2009

Radio interview with Stuart White about the toilet rebate scheme.

13 Feb 2009

Rebate to replace single-flush toilets

13 Feb 2009

Toilet scheme hot on flushes

13 Feb 2009

The restorative paradigm

08 Jan 2009

Radio interview with Prof Stuart White about rainwater harvesting.

26 Nov 2008

Parched city first to draw water from 'exploited' basin

26 Nov 2008

Water worries temporary: report

26 Nov 2008

Admit you're wrong and can dam plan: Professor

26 Nov 2008

News Alert: International water industry warned off Aussie desalination folly

14 Oct 2008

Radio interview with Prof. Stuart White on national water programs

12 Sep 2008

AWA conference on urban water reform: governance and structures in a challenging climate

12 Sep 2008

Dam protest surges: GetUp's aboard with climate torch in Traveston dam fight.

25 Aug 2008

Restorative water: beyond sustainable

07 Aug 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White on the future of energy

23 Jul 2008

Dam emissions won't stack up financially

23 Jul 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White about emissions and Traveston Crossing Dam

11 Jul 2008

Enviro08 The Sustainability Conference

11 Jul 2008

Engineers say no to dam

11 Jul 2008

Dam to be big polluter

11 Jul 2008

Traveston emissions grossly underestimated: study

10 Jul 2008

Dam's $8million a year Greenhouse emissions

10 Jul 2008

Radio interview with Alex Kazaglis on Traveston Dam

10 Jul 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White on emissions associated with Traveston Dam

10 Jul 2008

Radio interview with Alex Kazaglis on Traveston Dam and GHG emissions

10 Jul 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White on Traveston Dam and emissions trading scheme

10 Jul 2008

Greenhouse gas thumbs down to dam

10 Jul 2008

Proposed dam to create 400,000T of greenhouse gas: study

10 Jul 2008

Dam emissions won't stack up financially

10 Jul 2008

Review of water options says no need for dam

10 Jul 2008

The Wrap: News Vol.6 No.4 April 07

10 Jul 2008

Radio interview with Dana Cordell on peak phosphorous

23 Jun 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White on water scarcity

19 Jun 2008

No 'dam'idea

04 Jun 2008

Dam fight goes to Garrett's territory

03 Jun 2008

To paradise and beyond

03 Jun 2008

Is desalination the solution?

27 May 2008

Desalination: the solution?

27 May 2008

Celebrating our true achievers

16 May 2008

Submissions to inquiry closing

07 May 2008

Plan to turn old Sydney brewery into $2b green precinct

07 May 2008

From brewery to sophisticated city precinct: $2bn green dream

07 May 2008

The dam we can do well without

22 Apr 2008

Councils scrutinise implications of inquiry into country water utilities

22 Apr 2008

Iemma too stupid or too proud

22 Apr 2008

Securing Sydney's water: diversity is the key

17 Apr 2008

Plan to turn old Sydney brewery into $2b green precinct

14 Apr 2008

World's biggest home brew - and room for 13,000 at the inn

14 Apr 2008

Greener vision for CUB site

14 Apr 2008

Flood for dam debate

14 Apr 2008

Why Tillegra Dam?

04 Apr 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White

04 Apr 2008

Experts predict water prices to double

20 Mar 2008

Grey water and red tape

17 Mar 2008

From the Mayor's desk

17 Mar 2008

Water use down

18 Feb 2008

Mayor backs hard line on dam report

18 Feb 2008

Cheap and nasty economics

01 Feb 2008

Radio interview on greenhouse impacts associated with Traveston Crossing Dam

01 Feb 2008

Dam greenhouse 'sleight of hand'

01 Feb 2008

Dam EIS lacks detail: Greenhouse emissions 100 times stated levels

01 Feb 2008

Fight's not over

24 Jan 2008

Radio interview about Traveston Crossing Dam

24 Jan 2008

To Dam, or Not to Dam?

23 Jan 2008

Television interview on the proposed Traveton Dam

10 Jan 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White on domestic water usage.

10 Jan 2008

Radio interview: ABC Wide Bay (Bundaberg) 18 April 2007

10 Jan 2008

Get over the 'yuck factor' say water experts

10 Jan 2008

Radio interview: MIX 92.7 (Maryborough) 18 April 2007

10 Jan 2008

Radio interview: 4BU (Bundaberg) 18 April 2007

10 Jan 2008

Damning the Clarence

10 Jan 2008

Plan to pump water interstate slammed.

10 Jan 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White on water plans for Queensland

10 Jan 2008

Radio interview with Stuart White on solutions for addressing the current drought

10 Jan 2008

A promise worth breaking

10 Jan 2008

Radio story on desalination plant for Sydney.

10 Jan 2008

Radio story on desalination plant for Sydney

10 Jan 2008

Keep desalination on the backburner, says adviser.

10 Jan 2008

Unwanted and unnecessary

10 Jan 2008

Calls for water aid in Asia

09 Jan 2008

Dam meeting Monday

09 Jan 2008

Dam inquiry in Gympie

09 Jan 2008

Dam report is on council internet

09 Jan 2008

Urban water crisis

09 Jan 2008

It's a dam dinosaur! Developers and greens join forces to blast Traveston plan

09 Jan 2008

Options report: No need for Traveston

09 Jan 2008

Traveston findings give heart to 'bulldust dam' campaign

09 Jan 2008

Molloy calls on Bligh to 'put up or shut up' on dam

09 Jan 2008

Mayors' dam report gives thumbs down.

09 Jan 2008

Dam: Useless, unnecessary

09 Jan 2008

Mayors' dam report to be released on Friday.

09 Jan 2008

Damning report

09 Jan 2008

A wee proposal

30 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Mick Vernados, Cooloola Mayor

30 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Stuart White on the results of his report into the Traveston Dam

30 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Mick Vernados, Cooloola Mayor, Professor Stuart White, UTS.

30 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Mick Venardos, Cooloola Shire Council Mayor

30 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Stuart White on Traveston Crossing Dam report.

30 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Mick Barnados, Cooloola Shire Mayor

30 Nov 2007

Study hits government dam strategy.

30 Nov 2007

Report undermines dam plan credibility

30 Nov 2007

Study proves dam is "Qld Labor's folly": Truss

30 Nov 2007

Senate looks at inquiry into our dam plan

30 Nov 2007

Report favours desalination

30 Nov 2007

The propaganda disease - truth is the only cure.

30 Nov 2007

Studies will damn project for Traveston

30 Nov 2007

Body blow for Traveston plan

30 Nov 2007

Kill off dam forever

30 Nov 2007

Dam inquiry told of 'secrecy, lies and bad data'.

30 Nov 2007

Millions in region drinking unsafe water

29 Nov 2007

Wear Blue for World Water Day

29 Nov 2007

Water supply is diminishing

29 Nov 2007

Australia is not alone when it comes to a shortage of water.

29 Nov 2007

Wrong on desalination

29 Nov 2007

Desal plant is 'unnecessary'

29 Nov 2007

Dam doesn't figure

29 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Stuart White about drought in South East Queensland

27 Nov 2007

Anti-dam activists talk down Beattie's plan to city audience

27 Nov 2007

What a dam cruel joke: Traveston's in drought.

27 Nov 2007

No stopping desalination even if dam spills over

27 Nov 2007

City rejects 'cruel dam hoax': Greens

26 Nov 2007

Water Options for South-Eastern Queensland

26 Nov 2007

Television documentary 'Fish out of Water'

26 Nov 2007

Aussie scientist calls for human urine fertiliser

26 Nov 2007

Get over the "Poo Taboo" - expert warns

26 Nov 2007

Planet down the toilet?

26 Nov 2007

Get over the 'poo taboo it's time for a revolution.

26 Nov 2007

Oh, poo!

26 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Cynthia Mitchell

26 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Cynthia Mitchell

26 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Cynthia Mitchell

26 Nov 2007

$1.4m for water projects

26 Nov 2007

Nutrients wasted through 'poo taboo'

26 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Stuart White

23 Nov 2007

Radio interview with Cynthia Mitchell

23 Nov 2007

Brisbane deserves a better water supply

23 Nov 2007

Desalination plant a 'costly mistake' says water expert

23 Nov 2007

Desal review to be limited

23 Nov 2007

Idle desalination plant to cost $50m a year

23 Nov 2007

River Science

23 Nov 2007

Taking the P out of pee

23 Nov 2007

Recycled poo 'the next big thing'

23 Jul 2007

Sunshine News

12 Jul 2007

'Damn' the dam

04 Jun 2007

Calls for water aid in Asia.

30 May 2007

Australia's recent drought has sharpened the focus on urban water sources and how we use water. In several cities, there has been a simplistic response to securing new supplies through desalination - what are the future implications for smarter water management in our cities?

Big picture questions

- How will new technologies, behaviours and climate change come together to shape our urban water future? What will drive change - how are we placed to respond?
- What role will decentralised systems plan in our urban water future? Where does recycled and waste water fit?

Possible PhD topics

- Adaptation of integrated resources planning (IRP) approaches in developing countries
- Asset management for distributed water and wastewater systems
- Best practice environmental and ecological economic methods in the assessment of sustainable urban water systems
- Monitoring and evaluation in the water and sanitation sector
- Urban water security for Australia: a new approach using smart technology
- Water and sanitation infrastructure: innovative planning for the Asia Pacific
- Water futures: emerging water-related issues in the Asia-Pacific